Mt Vernon Triangle streets closed for police investigation

The area at 10th and M streets are currently closed for a police investigation.

Police are asking residents to stay in their homes and to not come outside. They have ordered several people back inside.

You may want to avoid the area for the next few hours.

First Lady dines at Oyamel

According to Mike Allen's Politico Playbook, the First Lady had dinner last night at Oyamel.

No word on what she ate or who she was with.  Let us know if you saw her!

President at Minibar for Valentine's Day

It appears from the incredible amount of secret service that the President has taken his valentine to Minibar.

Must have been even harder than usual to get a reservation tonight. Maybe not if you are the President of this great country. We are guessing he didn't call at 10:30am a month ahead.

White Apron Opens

There's a new lunch player in town, y'all.

The sandwich shop we reported on back in July, White Apron, has opened its doors.

White Apron specializes in sandwiches - they have monthly and daily specials such as Italian subs, croque monsieurs, tuna, roast beef - the works - plus a side dish of the day.  For $8 a sandwich, we think it's a pretty good deal (we particularly like the 91 cent fountain sodas and chips!).

Their hours are 11-3 (we were hopeful they'd be open for dinner too, but no such luck - yet anyway).  You can go visit them on 11th between E and Pennsylvania.

NB: This is just the first of the "Aprons" to open in Penn Quarter this year - Red Apron Butchery has plans to open this spring on D between 7th and 8th.  Progress is moving along there nicely, from what we've seen.

Inauguration Planning

The great folks at DowntownDC put together a useful packet for how to get around when Inauguration strikes next Monday, January 21st (hint: don't.)  You should review the whole thing, but we thought this blurb for residents would be particularly helpful for PQInsiders.

Also: don't forget their awesome list of restaurants with Inauguration specials - almost all of them here in Penn Quarter.

Celebrity Sighting

Parks and Rec actor Chris Pratt was spotted at The Source last night while folks screened his new movie Zero Dark Thirty at neighboring Newseum.  Pratt plays a member of Seal Team Six.

He dined with Mark Boal, writer/producer of the much-buzzed film, but no word on what they ate.

Pratt is no stranger to DC - as you recall, he and the rest of his Parks and Rec castmates were in Penn Quarter filming last summer.

Daikaya Pop Up

Daikaya, the ramen shop that's due to open on Sixth Street this very month, knows we're anxious to get a taste of their Sapporo-style noodles - and so they're doing a pop-up at LivingSocial's 918 F Street location on January 18th and 19th.  They're the number-one most anticipated restaurant this year, according to Washington City Paper, so we expect the pop-up tickets to go fast.

$79 will get you a six course meal - below - plus a cocktail, a sake, and a Sapporo lager.

For those wondering, the exact opening for the Sixth Street location hasn't been announced yet.  We've got our eye on it.

Panera Bread Opens in Chinatown

A couple months ago, we reported on construction starting at Panera Bread a year after announcing their plans to occupy the location.

They made up for lost time, because the Panera Bread opened yesterday.  There are two stories, with 52 seats on the first floor and 144 on the second.

Their hours will be as follows:

Monday - Thursday - 6:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.
Friday - 6:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m.
Sunday - 7:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.

We are always excited for a new lunch place in Penn Quarter.  We suspect that despite the plethora of sandwich places in the neighborhood (e.g. ABP, Cafe Phillips, Camille's, Corner Baker, Cosi, etc.), Panera will do just fine.

The low is in the 30's over the weekend - go get some soup!

Thursday Deals

First, a few neighborhood reminders:

• Today is the second to last Farmers Market, from 3-7 as always (don't worry, it's lit!).  Check out some of the beautiful produce they'll be offering today ->
• Sixth Engine is still selling Christmas trees in walking distance of Penn Quarter.  Proceeds go to charity, so get on it!
• Of course, don't forget about the Downtown Holiday Market, open until December 23rd.  We love walking by and hearing the live music!

And now - some deals from LivingSocial:

• $20 for $40 at Kanlaya, and
• $15 for $30 or $10 for $20 at Ella's Pizza.

Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken

Come January, the space at 1308 G Street will have a new occupant: Astro Doughnuts and Fried Chicken.  It's everything it sounds like, and you can check out the menu here, which rotates on a daily basis.

BUT: if you can't wait until January for the delicacies, there will be a doughnut pop-up on December 20th and 21st at Chinatown Coffee Company on H Street.

Welcome to the neighborhood, Astro!

Celebrity Sighting

Neil Patrick Harris, in town to host the White House Christmas tree lighting, did a culinary food tour of DC yesterday.

He hit places all over DC, tweeting along the way.  His first spot was Penn Quarter hotspot Graffiato.  "Delicious pizza and the best brussels sprouts I've ever eaten," according to the actor (and we co-sign this statement).

Below, Harris' fiance David Burtka outside Mike Isabella's restaurant.

Picture via @actuallyNPH

PS7 No More - New Chef, New Concept to Come

We've heard rumors of PS7's closing, but nothing certain until now: the Washington Post is reporting that chef Victor Albisu of BLT Steak will be taking over the space in order to open Del Campo, a South American themed restaurant.

Indeed: it seems PS7 may have already closed - there is a sign on the door saying it's "closed for administrative duties" and no reservations are available on OpenTable.

Del Campo plans to open in the spring of 2013, when we can expect South American barbecue (steaks, short ribs, sausages) with crudos and ceviches.

Peace & Goodwill - a Pop-Up - comes to Chinatown

Back in August, the good people of Goodwill and Gensler, an architecture and design firm, started a pop-up shop at the Pepco Edison Place Gallery.  Citing great success, they're back just in time for the holidays with a new pop-up called Peace & Goodwill.

You can shop next Wednesday, December 12th through Friday, December 14th, 11a-6p (except Friday, when it closes at 5p).

We stopped by over the summer and found it to be well-stocked and inviting.  We imagine the winter version will be just the same!  And - if you need more incentive - Pepco will match each dollar you spend at the pop-up, up to $25,000, for a donation to Goodwill.  Plus - spend $50 or more and you'll be entered to win a 2005 Audi wagon.  Get shopping!  (And head over to the Downtown DC Market while you're at it!)

10:45a update:  As in August, they'll be accepting donations at this location, also.  (So now's a good time to face the music that those pants just aren't ever going to fit and donate them to a more noble cause.)